File this email I just received under ‘Surprising (but not that surprising)’: “Just walked by the 43rd and 8th Avenue Empanada Joe’s (I had given this place two chances, and disappointed twice) and it was closed, a sign directing people to go to their 6th Avenue location.”
Posted by Zach Brooks at 5:00 pm, February 2nd, 2009 under Closed, Empanada Joe's.
Eater is reporting that “Heartland Brewery’s barbecue joint Spanky’s (on 43rd btw. B’way+7th) will close its doors tomorrow after a private farewell party. They’ll replace it in March with HB Burger.” If Heartland Brewery is any indication, H(eartland)B(rewery) Burger will definitely not be a Midtown Lunch (and I’m not just saying that because I still haven’t gotten over the onion ring debacle during my one and only visit to Heartland Brewery.) Not sure if the failure of a big, touristy BBQ joint in Times Square is good news or bad news for Famous Dave’s BBQ, opening soon on 47th btw. 6+7th.
The New Year’s carnage continues, as we receive word from the “Bronx Briner Gal” that Sahara Grill, the small Turkish take out place on 7th Ave. and 40th Street, has closed. Known for its doner kebab and falafel, the Sahara Grill is a place that you may not have eaten at- but you’ve definitely walked by. It will be missed by many.
Posted by Zach Brooks at 2:00 pm, January 22nd, 2009 under Closed.
I never got the chance to try the Halal Bakery & Pizza on 8th Ave. & 36th Street, and it looks like I never will. Sent to the ML Inbox, and confirmed by the photo above: “Halal Pizza and Bakery is gone. It looks like it was ransacked. When I first started work in the area it was the go-to lunch alternative, a steal at $1.00/slice. When they raised the prices to $1.50 over a year ago I boycotted the location; however, over time it became a good deal once again and recently reconciled with the corner shop. And now it’s gone. It’s like we’ve lost a friend.” Apparently they were known for their doughnuts as well, which makes me even more bummed I never checked it out. According to a different tipster, the super dingy looking Noodles 36 around the corner (btw. 8+9th) is closed as well.
In fact, when I showed up this afternoon I discovered that all the places on that block are closed and being gutted, along with the newsstand just north of the pizzeria/bakery on 8th Ave. Thankfully the construction stops there, sparing the Dunkin Donuts/Taco Bell/White Castle next door. Hopefully whatever monstrosity they are putting in there is some good food- and not another bank or crappy chain.
Posted by Zach Brooks at 2:58 pm, January 7th, 2009 under Closed.
This is kind of old news I think, but I completely missed it when reporting on Kashmir Express’ re-opening last month. The original downstairs Buffet portion of Kashmir did not reopen last month along with Kashmir Express (the upstairs by-the-lb-buffet take out portion). Instead, they are converting what used to be a restaurant with an all you can eat Indian buffet, into a bar called “Cave Lounge”. Kind of strange considering the “Express” part has never really seemed to take off (while the buffet had a few fans).
The interior of the cave, plus the one piece of good news is after the jump…
You would think that in this current economic climate, a place that served decent falafel and 99 cent pizza would be thriving… but apparently that is not the case. A tipster just forwarded us this photo from the Prince Deli (on 3rd Ave. btw. 43+44th), along with this note:
Just went to get a falafel for lunch from the Prince Deli and it is closed. Newspaper over the windows and handwritten sign on the door (see attached photo). Have you heard if it is for good or just temporary? Not the nicest place but the falafel was good and cheap and it was a second 99 cent pizza place in the area. –Andrew
Phone call confirms it: gone for good. I guess its “Best Falafel” nomination came just a little too late. No word on what will be taking over the space, but if the guy who answered the phone is the owner, than the new place is going to be run by a giant dick. (He hung up on me twice after I asked what would be taking over the location.)
Posted by Zach Brooks at 3:44 pm, December 23rd, 2008 under Closed, Prince Deli.
R.I.P. Belizzi’s: Eater brings word that Bellizzi's "a lunch spot that took over a former Cosi location on West 36th and 7th Avenue and used their bread ovens for pizzas" has closed because of the "economic downturn." Anybody ever been to this place? I can't even picture it...
Posted at 2:42 pm, December 19th, 2008 | 1 Comment
When they cover up the sign, I think it’s safe to say the mini Food Court on 8th Avenue btw. 44+45th is gone for good. So, say goodbye to Midtown’s only Church’s Fried Chicken. Thankfully we still have Popeye’s and a few other good options in the area… plus if you noticed in yesterday’s profile, there is a rumor going around that Bojangles is looking to expand to New York City (with a reported 41 new stores in 2009.) I contacted the corporate office, and their response is after the jump.
Posted by Zach Brooks at 9:40 am, December 17th, 2008 under Church's Fried Chicken, Closed, Fried Chicken.
I have to say I’m a little shocked by this one… walked by Zen Burger today (on Lexington btw. 45+46th) to discover that this past Friday was their last day open for business. This one year old vegetarian fast food chain from the owners of Zen Palate (which has also been plagued by money issues over the years) was disliked by many meat lovers, but I was kind of into their whole premise: fast food that is almost identical to McDonald’s, but without using any meat.
The letter blamed “extremely high rent” for the closing, and said to watch out for news about “future locations”. No word on how this will effect their West Hollywood, CA location supposedly opening at the beginning of 2009.
The full letter is after the jump.
Posted by Zach Brooks at 3:04 pm, December 15th, 2008 under Closed, Zen Burger.
Multiple tipsters have emailed in about the Old Bridge Deli (on Lex btw. 40+41st) which was closed again today- this time seized on behalf of the landlord of the building. This is nothing new for the deli considering that they have been closed a ton of times over the past year for non payment of back taxes (clearly the owners of the OBD are having trouble paying their bills.) But the fact that this time it has been possessed by the landlord (and chained shut), does not bode well for this Midtown deli. R.I.P. rolly wraps…
Posted by Zach Brooks at 3:43 pm, December 1st, 2008 under Closed, Old Bridge Deli.
